Mario Acón Chea, the new ambassador to the ROC (Taiwan) from Costa Rica, on March 14 presented his credentials to President Chen Shui-bian.
The ceremony was held at the Presidential Office at 11 a.m. Ambassador Acón was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Chu Yu-feng, Director of the Protocol Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Presidential Office Secretary-General Chiou I-jen and Minister of Foreign Affairs James Huang also attended the stately ceremony.
After receiving Ambassador Acón's credentials, President Chen expressed his warm welcome to him on behalf of the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan). President Chen added that Ambassador Acón is of Chinese lineage and about 20 years ago, from 1986 to 1989, during the first term of Costa Rica President Dr. Oscar Arias Sanchez, he served as envoy and consul general at the Costa Rican embassy in Taiwan. Ambassador Acón is quite familiar with and has an emotional attachment to Taiwan, he said, adding that Ambassador Acón is eminently qualified to return to Taiwan and serve as Costa Rica's ambassador.
The president noted that Taiwan and Costa Rica have a long friendship. Back in 1941, Taiwan established a mission in Costa Rica, and the presence in that nation continues to this day. The two nations have maintained formal diplomatic relations for over 60 years, he said. President Chen added that he was delighted to see President Arias first elected president 20 years ago and now 20 years later embraced again by the people of Costa Rica and elected to the office once more. In May last year, President Chen attended the inauguration ceremonies for President Arias on behalf of the government and people of the ROC (Taiwan). In January of this year, he once again met President Arias when they both attended the inauguration of Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega. President Chen and President Arias held bilateral talks while in the Nicaraguan capital of Managua. President Chen said he admires and supports the Costa Rica Consensus advocated by President Arias. In addition to staunchly supporting this program, President Chen expressed his support for Costa Rica's entry into the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. President Chen also expressed his gratitude for Costa Rica's long support for Taiwan's participation in the United Nations and the World Health Organization.
President Chen said he expects that Ambassador Acón will serve as an excellent bridge for communication and friendship between the two countries, and that he will help to mark a new page in friendly and substantive relations between the two. The president also said he is pleased with the assistance that the Taiwan government has provided to Costa Rica, such as construction of the Taiwan Friendship Bridge and the San Carlos Highway, as well as the establishment of community information centers. Lastly, President Chen asked Ambassador Acón to send his best wishes to President Arias and to relay an invitation to President Arias to lead a delegation to Taiwan on a state visit.